Royal Canadian Mint Launches 25-Cent Bobsleigh Coin

CALGARY, ALBERTA — Although snow isn’t readily available in most parts of Canada at this time of year, the Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to celebrate an exciting winter sport with the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin featuring bobsleigh.

To celebrate the launch of the coin, a special coin exchange will be held today in Calgary at the RBC Branch on Stephen Avenue Mall with special guest, Canadian bobsleigh athlete and RBC Olympian, Shelley-Ann Brown.

"Today marks only 234 days until Vancouver hosts the biggest sporting event in the world," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Through our innovative circulation coin program, the Mint is providing Canadians from coast to coast to coast with a unique way to collect a piece of the Games, which will serve as a lasting reminder of this extraordinary moment in our country’s history."

"Our Government is proud to support the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games through this coin initiative," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). "This is a great chance for all Canadians to have a commemorative souvenir of the Games that will stay with them well beyond 2010. These will be Canada’s Games, and Canadians are excited to cheer on our athletes as they own the podium."

Up to 22 million 25-cent bobsleigh coins will enter into circulation today, June 23, 2009 and be available exclusively at RBC branches and participating Petro-Canada locations. RBC is a Premier National Partner and Petro-Canada is a National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Canadians can also look for these special coins in their change. Participating Petro-Canada locations will also sell bobsleigh sport cards, containing a uniquely painted version of the coin, for $7.95.

The three Olympic Winter Games sliding sports are bobsleigh, skeleton and luge. All three grew out of the practice of using a sled or toboggan — a light, narrow wooden platform on runners — to slide on snow or ice. The four-man bobsleigh was on the program of the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924, in Chamonix, France. The two-man bobsleigh event joined the Olympic Games program in 1932. Women began competing in bobsleigh for the first time in 2002, at the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games.

Designed by Canadian artist Glenn Green of Vancouver, BC, the bobsleigh circulation coin features a four member bobsleigh team and their sled in the centre, a stylized maple leaf and the words ‘Vancouver 2010′. The obverse features the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, rendered by Susanna Blunt.

Sterling Silver Hologram Edition – Reverse Designed by Bonnie Ross

In addition to the circulation coin, the Mint is offering the following related keepsakes, located at www.mint.ca/2010:

These and other Royal Canadian Mint products are also available for purchase by calling 1-800-267-7000.

Canadians can still look forward to the release of the following 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games themed circulation coins: a 25-cent coin will feature the sport of ice sledge hockey (March 18, 2010), while the 2010 Lucky Loonie will be launched on February 15, 2010, just prior to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

On February 12th, the Mint and Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium launched the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments contest, where Canadians were invited to select the Top 3 moments, which will be featured on 25-cent coins in late 2009.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.

The Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide, while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.